Is MSPA worth attending?
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@SteveSoCal wrote:
@yoya301 wrote:
How many shoppers are usually at a Shopperfest event? I'm just curious. Is it 50,100, 500, 1000....
I think there just over 50 at the last one I attended...but that was near L.A. so it's a populous area.
@walesmaven wrote:
Membership dues (including shopper member dues) support a lot of trips to Washington each year to visit lawmakers offices.
At one point they were employing a professional lobbyist I believe...correct? I guess I should say contracting a lobbyist, but you do the math on the costs behind a small group of business owners doing that when it's like 50 small businesses and 50,000 shoppers, and you have to wonder why they spend futile money on that instead of just paying shoppers a little better. Pretty sure the lobbyist doesn't take $10 and a pizza for the work.
Only 50 shoppers typically attend a conference??
Thanks SteveSoCal. I like the idea of getting hands on video training, but wondered how "hands on" it could be with a rather large group.
I've gone to training conferences before that were a waste of time and money, but I didn't complain because my employer sent me and paid for it.
When I just looked, I noticed there are still rooms available at the hotel. I then began to think that maybe nobody actually attends. I have seen so much advertising for this event over the last couple of months. I want to make sure it's not kind of like all the hype of an email advertising a "Great paying $5.00 shop."
Maybe I will go and just hope for a mini vacation to break the mental slump that I have been in lately.
I've gone to training conferences before that were a waste of time and money, but I didn't complain because my employer sent me and paid for it.
When I just looked, I noticed there are still rooms available at the hotel. I then began to think that maybe nobody actually attends. I have seen so much advertising for this event over the last couple of months. I want to make sure it's not kind of like all the hype of an email advertising a "Great paying $5.00 shop."
Maybe I will go and just hope for a mini vacation to break the mental slump that I have been in lately.
Apparently I applied for & have been selected by the MSPA to receive a "scholarship" to attend the ShopperFest conference in Pittsburgh. I'd have to pay for my own transportation, hotel & other expenses. I'm in ATL so would have to fly & 2 nights of hotel, I'm looking at $600-$700, probably closer to $800 with food & everything else. After reading this thread not sure I really even want to go. I could see paying for the conference if I was local but not so sure I'm seeing a $800 benefit to attend. Am I missing something?
Go to IMSC conference in Phoenix: fly SWA with rebate from the MSC that does that client. Imsc conferences are generally 120 and up shoppers. IMSC also has "scholarship" awards, so check out their web site.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
If forking out that much money makes you hesitant at the moment, wait for a conference that's closer to home. It will happen eventually. I think last year there was a conference (I don't remember which organization) in Atlanta. Both of the conferences I have attended thus far were within driving distance. MSPA gold workshop in 2003 in Toledo, and most recently a couple of years ago the IMSC conference in southern Indiana. I thought both workshops had their merits.
Oh, I just looked at IMSC website, they have an upcoming Atlanta conference in spring of 2020.
Oh, I just looked at IMSC website, they have an upcoming Atlanta conference in spring of 2020.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
If forking out that much money makes you hesitant at the moment, wait for a conference that's closer to home. It will happen eventually.
Agreed, @Jenjgra should just wait for something closer. I paid for Uber and and Metrolink ticket to get to the shopperfest I attended, and I'm not sure if I ever really recouped that cost...and I was literally shopping the hotel across the street from the only IMSC event I ever attended.
I know some people get a lot out of the conferences and other go for camaraderie, but I'm pretty set in my ways (i.e selective) in terms of shopping so it actually turned me off from working for certain companies instead of giving me more opportunities.
IMSC conference was interesting and I got to socialize and meet some new people, plus put faces to a few forum member names. I also like to gamble (it was at the casino in Indiana). Back in 2003 the MSPA gold certifications workshops were well worth it. That was a very long time ago and I really don't think gold certification means as much as it did in the early 2000s. Plus now it can be obtained online, which really devalues the experience.
I would have liked to attend the last one in Vegas, but the hotel prices at the Flamingo were over priced, as I stayed there after that for 30.00, meeting others was my goal, not taking classes, I had to renign, air and hotel and meals too much. I still would love to meet shoppers, next time in L.A. will work. We should all probably go once.
Live consciously....
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@JASFLALMT wrote:
If forking out that much money makes you hesitant at the moment, wait for a conference that's closer to home. It will happen eventually.
Agreed, @Jenjgra should just wait for something closer. I paid for Uber and and Metrolink ticket to get to the shopperfest I attended, and I'm not sure if I ever really recouped that cost.
Meeting me in person was worth every penny, you brat!
Hi,
I received an email winning one of the $25.00 dollar off shopperfest registeration. As I will not be able to attend I would like to pass it on to someone who will use it. So I will give the code to the first person who i get an email from about it. Use subject SHOPPERFEST CODE so i don't over look you. Email me at kayswayic@gmail.com
I received an email winning one of the $25.00 dollar off shopperfest registeration. As I will not be able to attend I would like to pass it on to someone who will use it. So I will give the code to the first person who i get an email from about it. Use subject SHOPPERFEST CODE so i don't over look you. Email me at kayswayic@gmail.com
@SoCalMama wrote:
Meeting me in person was worth every penny, you brat!
I haven't seen a financial profit from that!
It’s a symbiotic relationship.@SteveSoCal wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
Meeting me in person was worth every penny, you brat!
I haven't seen a financial profit from that!
My daughter lives in Phoenix so I’m planning to go. Business and pleasure combined...love it!
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Susie shopping the Columbus Ohio area and outlying communities.
The conferences have been around for at least 20 years.
Yes, IMSC, by and for shoppers, started 10 years ago, when MSPA (the MSC trade/lobbying organization) abruptly announced that shoppers would not longer be welcome at their conferences. Recently, MSPA has decided to start doing conferences again.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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